UST quarterfinals hopes blemish after one-point defeat to Fontanilla-led St. Clare
By Joie Frances Timbas
The Builders Warehouse-UST folded against Adalem Construction-St. Clare, 86–87, in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, on Thursday, July 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
St. Clare was led by coach Jinino Manansala, the former head coach of the Tigers who guided their previous UAAP stint to a 3–11 record in the 5-on-5 tournament and champions in the men’s 3×3 tournament.
In addition, former Tigers guard Joshua Fontanilla proved to be a thorn on the side of UST as he steered the Manansala-led group with 17 points and seven assists.
Four Tigers who contributed double-digit points were not enough to will the Tigers their first win. Veteran sniper Sherwin Concepcion, who knocked crucial threes in the clutch, grabbed 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Bryan Santos posted 17 points and shot 77 percent from the field. Rookie Kean Baclaan contributed14 points and five assists, and Miguel Pangilinan with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Baclaan instantly caught fire in the opening frame scoring nine points, which were all made beyond the arc, and averaged 50% from the field. UST closed the quarter with a small lead, 21–16.
As the second quarter commenced, Pangilinan took over for the Tigers, scoring eight points at just the 7:32 mark making it a run since St. Clare was scoreless until Ndong knocked down a layup at the 6:55 mark. UST hustled to their biggest lead of the game, 14 points.
But as the half came to an end, the Tigers lost grip on their early momentum as their lead was cut down to 40–34. UST outscored St. Clare by a point during the second outing, 18–17.
UST’s lead was erased with three minutes left in the third frame as St. Clare led 51–49, making it a one-possession game. UST lost the quarter as they contributed 20 points compared to St. Clare’s 25-point salvo. UST emerged with a one-point lead as the quarter packed up, 60–59.
During the final frame, the Tigers were down 65–76 with 5:19 left in the game courtesy of a 10–0 blitz by St. Clare. Manalang’s driving layup put the Builders-Warehouse squad within one, 75–76 at the 3:45 mark, as UST responded with a 10–0 run of their own.
The two teams went back and forth until St. Clare managed to lead by five with a minute and a half left in the game. Concepcion knocked down two crucial threes and Baclaan made clutch free throws, but fell short as the thriller ended with a heartbreaking loss for the Tigers, 86–87.
St Clare (3–2) is ranked fourth in the team standings while UST (0–4) is placed at the bottom.
The Builders Warehouse squad hope to keep their quarterfinals bid alive as they face AMA Online, who is also looking for their first D-League win, on Wednesday, 9 AM, July 27 at the same venue.
